title: EBNA-1 IgG titers in Sardinian multiple sclerosis patients and controls.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be triggered by environmental factors acting on a genetic predisposition. Sardinians share a homogeneous genetic background and boast one of the highest MS prevalence worldwide. We investigated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody prevalence in Sardinian population by ELISA. Our results show a higher serum prevalence of EBNA-1 IgG in MS patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, analyzing a subset of patients treated for 6 months with IFN-β, we observed a decrease in their EBNA-1 specific IgG titers. These results confirm previous findings and strengthen the association between EBV and MS in Sardinia.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università di Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mameli
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cocco
authors.forename: Speranza
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frau
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marrosu
authors.forename: Leonardo A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sechi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D012372:ROC Curve
chemical_list: D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C417029:EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1
keywords: EBNA-1; Epstein–Barr virus; IFN-β; Multiple sclerosis; Sardinian